As of September 1, 2017, the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) was abolished. While many services available via DADS transitioned to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the SAIL program was discontinued. This page is maintained strictly for historical purposes. It is suggested one contact their local Area Agency on Aging for services that used to be offered via SAIL.
Program Description
HHS has several programs designed specifically for the elderly. Prior to the transition of senior services from DADS to HHS there was a group of services referred to, on the whole, as Services to Assist Independent Living (SAIL). With this transition of services between departments, it is unclear as to whether the SAIL program is still in existence or has been renamed as Independent Living (IL) Services, which services people with disabilities of all ages. There is also a wide range of services for adults aged 60 and older through HHS, and are administered by local Area Agencies on Aging (AAA).
These services are intended to help seniors to live independently in their homes. To that end, they may include support, such as home modifications, providing homemaker services and personal care, assisting in transportation, and offering caregivers respite care.
It is also unclear if some of the services can still be consumer directed, meaning the recipient of the services is empowered to choose their own service providers. This is most notable in the case of personal care. Certain family members are eligible to paid as personal care providers.
Many of these same services are offered through different programs, such as the non-Medicaid In-Home and Family Support Program or Medicaid Texas’ STAR+PLUS Medicaid Waiver.
Let’s move there . The counties in Texas with the longest life expectancies are Williamson, Hidalgo, Collin, Burnet and Cameron.
Eligibility Guidelines
Follows are the eligibility requirements for assistance for seniors:
-Must be a Texas Resident
-Must be at least 60+ years of age
Final availability of services is determined by the local Area Agency on Aging (AAA) and priority is given to low-income individuals living in remote areas of the state, as well as those who are at risk of nursing home placement or have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.
Benefits and Services
With the transition of services between departments, it remains unclear as to whether all of these services are currently still being offered:
- Adult Day Care Services
- In Home Respite Care
- Institutional Respite Care
- Chore / Home Maintenance Services
- (Personal) Emergency Response Services (ERS)
- Health Maintenance
- Home Modifications
- Durable Medical Equipment
- Health Screening / Monitoring
- Hospice Care
- Instruction and Training
- Personal Assistance – light housecleaning, meal preparation, basic personal care, etc.
- Residential Repair
- Transportation – Medical and Non-medical
- Meals (Delivered and Congregate)
How to Apply / Learn More
To apply for these long-term care services, individuals should contact their AAA office or call 800-252-9240. For more information on long-term services for seniors over 60, click here. For more information about Independent Living Services program, click here.
Community First Choice offers a new option for elder Texas residents needing help in-home. CFC services do not have waiting lists.
